The Good News is meant to be “good news.” The Gospel is meant to inspire and encourage. Even when it challenges and rebukes, the purpose of the message is good. God gave us a precious gift when he entrusted the stewardship of this message to us because how we share His Word affects the way it is received and as with anything holy, it must be respected and used in holiness. Ultimately, the message is meant to connect people with God and we are invited to share in that process, but is that what we see happening in Christ’s church today?

It seems like there is an increasing number of Christians who are well versed in talking about what they are against, but what about what they are for. Why is it that we seem to be so negative? I recognize that there are numerous social ills that need correction and current culture is not necessarily pro-Christian, but similar ethical dilemmas and cultural biases existed in Jesus’ day, yet His message remained one of hope, joy, peace and love. He pointed, not to the problems, but to the solution. His words were (and remain) words of life, not death.

Certainly, we need to speak out against injustices, but our faith goes so much further than that. We have so much more to offer than merely pointing out other people’s sins. Sure, we can show people that their passions are misplaced, but wouldn’t it be interesting to see what would happen if we pointed them toward the Passion of passions? Jesus said, “I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) As the body of Christ, doesn’t it make sense to follow in His footsteps?

In short, it seems that we have become quite good at condemnation, yet Romans reminds us that, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1) And the Apostle Paul made it clear that it was not our place to judge those outside of the faith. So, maybe we can be those who will be committed to moving from condemnation to revelation. Maybe, instead of speaking about the brokenness around us, we can start bringing the healing of Christ. Maybe, instead of pointing people’s attention toward their sin, we could point them to the One who takes away the sins of the world.

All of us want our physicians to be able to diagnose our ailments, but we also want them to suggest a plan for moving toward wholeness. We would never continue visiting a doctor who only told us everything that is wrong with us, while never treating us. Likewise, we have a responsibility to speak the truth in love, and while that includes humbly pointing out areas in need of transformation, it also involves leading the broken and hurting to the power of the cross in order for them to receive the wholeness God purchased in Jesus Christ.

I encourage you to be witness of God’s transforming power as you serve as God’s ministers of revelation and, as we work for the kingdom, let us keep praying that revelation abounds to and through us all.